Frequently asked Questions
- Where can I buy your products?
- What is different about your paint?
- Water-based vs oil-based -
you seem to have more oil-based products than water-based products, why? - What are your paints made from?
- I’ve never heard of you before, where has your paint been used?
- Are you a New Zealand-owned company?
- Do your paints last as long as conventional paints?
- Is there anything I should know before I use your paints regarding technique etc?
- Can I safely use your paint on my baby’s cot/bedroom/toys?
- Are your paints suitable for people with allergies and/or chemical sensitivities?
- How do I measure how much paint or product I need?
- How do I test for adhesion compatibility?
- Do you do colour matching?
- Do your paints contain any animal products, or are any of them tested on animals?
- Where can I buy your products?You can buy products directly from us, via email, fax or phone, or call in and meet us. We operate as a mail order company, sending products directly to your door and also have a retail shop in Nelson.
BioPaints offices and factory are based in Nelson, New Zealand. For overseas delivery – please contact us for more details.
- What is different about your paint?BioPaints’ products are all based on natural ingredients making them safer to use. We use a large range of plant oils, waxes, tree resins, china clay etc. We don’t use ingredients such as chlorinated hydrocarbon; fungicides; insecticides; bactericides; xylene; toluene; benzene; formaldehyde; phenol; heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium or copper.
We have made it our policy to list our ingredients on our labels and on our product data sheets. We do this so consumers can see what is in the products and make their own choices about the safety of the finishes we have available.
Where there has been no alternative product, inert non-problematic raw materials have been used.
- Water-based vs oil-based -
you seem to have more oil-based products than water-based products, why?Health, the environment and product performance have always been our main priorities. Oil-based paints and varnishes perform very well and because ours are based on plant oils they are safer for consumers to use. Like most other companies world-wide who produce natural paints we are still heavily reliant on using plant oils for a number of products in our range, however we are starting to introduce more water-based products. Conventional paint companies have found this an easier move to make because their water-based paints are still based on synthetic chemicals. BioPaints wants its water-based products to be safe for the consumer and for the environment. We will only release these products for sale when we are confident that they meet all our safety and performance criteria.
- What are your paints made from?The raw ingredients we use are predominantly found in nature, and are turned into paints, oils and varnishes using “nature’s gentle chemistry”, a soft and green chemistry approach to manufacturing. China clay, talc, plant oils, tree resins and waxes are amongst the most common raw materials used. Look out for full details of ingredients on product data sheets and container labels.
- I’ve never heard of you before, where has your paint been used?It is used widely in domestic situations and has also been used in hospitals, schools, public buildings, health food shops, galleries and by health practitioners.
Internationally it has been used in parliament and government buildings, airports, playgrounds and kindergartens.
- Are you a New Zealand-owned company?Yes, we are New Zealand owned and operated – based in sunny Nelson in the South Island of Aotearoa.
- Do your paints last as long as conventional paints?With care and proper maintenance you can expect a similar life from BioPaints’ products. Maintenance recommendations are on the product data sheets.
- Is there anything I should know before I use your paints regarding technique etc?Some of our products dry at different rates to conventional paints. This is a good thing to know before you start painting so you can keep it in mind when allowing for drying times. Some oil-based products, such as “BioPaints Enamel Paint” and “BioPaints Hard Varnish”, dry slower and “BioPaints Wall Paint” dries faster than acrylic paints.
- Can I safely use your paint on my baby’s cot/bedroom/toys?Yes. They have been safely used in hospitals, nurseries, schools and a number of products meet European standards for children’s toys – for more information see product data sheets.
- Are your paints suitable for people with allergies and/or chemical sensitivities?Some people can be allergic to natural products, but we find that many people with allergies, or with chemical sensititivites, can successfully use BioPaints’ products. First – check the product data sheets to see if any of the ingredients listed are ones that you are aware may cause you problems. Next – we always recommend that allergy sufferers trial the products to ensure they are suitable. Use “test pots” – $6 + courier charge for 100mls – to establish if products are safe for you. If you have allergies or are sensitive to ingredients such as: milk, bee products, citrus oil, lavender oil etc, “Contact Us”.
- How do I measure how much paint or product I need?Walls – measure the length of each wall and add them together; multiply this by the height of the room. Measure the door and window openings and subtract them from the total. This will give you the square metres of area to be covered. Check with the relevant data sheet for coverage details.
Ceiling – multiply the length by the width. This will give you the square metres of area to be covered. Check with the relevant data sheet for coverage details.
Floors – multiply the length by the width. This will give you the square metres of area to be covered. Check with the relevant data sheet for coverage details.
Once you have the square metres of area to be coated, divide by the product coverage rate, this will give you the number of litres required per coat. To work out the total litres required multiply by the number of coats.
i.e. 60m² ÷ 12 = 5 Litres per coat. 2 coats = 10 Litres.
Be a little generous in your measurements – it is better to have a little left over paint than not enough to finish your task.
- How do I test for adhesion compatibility?When coating a surface that is already painted or wall-papered we recommend an adhesion test: apply a small amount of paint directly onto the applicable area; once completely dry, make a cross in the new paint using a craft knife. Smooth a piece of sticky tape over the crossed area. Leave for a few moments and then pull away. If the tape removes any paint it has failed the test. An oil-based undercoat or removal of the wall paper may be necessary.
- Do you do colour matching?We do bespoke colour matching for interior wall paint where possible. There is a charge for each colour, and the matching can take up to five working days as each individual order is hand made. “Contact Us” for more details.